ISLAMABAD, Oct 21: Italian ambassador Adriano Chiodi Cianfarani inaugurated The Basil Leaf Cafe and Gallery in scenic Saidpur Village on Monday.

The opening was attended by many members of the diplomatic community, such as the ambassadors of Spain, Japan, Argentina, Cuba, Sweden, Switzerland, Romania and Brunei amongst others, and art lovers, so that the small cafe was overflowing.

With a decidedly rustic feel, the venue was a pleasant change from the white walls that typify art galleries in Pakistan.

As a guest, Ghazala Ulmulk said: “It is wonderful that little restaurants are opening up around Islamabad which was certainly not an eating hub a few years ago. And art and food is a lovely combination.”

Ambassador Cianfarani said that it was a great pleasure to be invited to the opening of the newest entrant in Islamabad’s dine-out scene.

He added: “Italy and Pakistan share a passion for food and art, and Sameer, the owner of the cafe, makes the best pizza I have had in Islamabad. He is a pizza aficionado!”

He went on to praise Noshi Qadir, owner of Tanzara Gallery and Sameer’s wife, as a talented art curator.

The Gallery was stocked with gorgeous paintings by renowned artists – Mashkoor, Rind, Bin Qalandar and Raza Changez Sultan.

Particularly striking was a large oil by Mashkoor of, obviously, horses – but unlike fuming equines in close up dominating the canvas, this featured small figures in a much larger space.

Noshi said: “Tanzara has always displayed high quality art and this gives an opportunity to extend our services to a greater audience. We intend on showcasing art of younger and upcoming artists at this venue.”

A housewife, Shama, wandering around in front of the paintings, said: “This is very nice – I don’t go to many art galleries.”

Perhaps combining the art with comfort food will make it more accessible to many.

Charmingly enough, there was also a lucky draw for door prizes so that some lucky guests went home with books and in one instance an original painting.

Noshi also presented the guest of honour with a painting.

Sameer, who has spent many months perfecting the dough for his pizzas, said: “I have always enjoyed good food and it was dream to open a place of my own where I would simply not be the owner but would add recipes to the menu.”

As the menu was not passed around at the opening, one could not comment on the range, in types offered or in innovative combinations, but the crust of the basic Margherita that was passed around was delicious.

Fresh out of the oven, it was thin, with little puffing and the crust had a pleasant chew to it – not the cracker-like crispiness that many pizzerias err towards.

Nevertheless, in vintage Neapolitan-style the crust was still crisp enough on the bottom so that it could be picked up, folded and eaten.

Other finger food served, which one sincerely hopes is not part of the menu, was Seekh Kebab in bite size pieces which neither went with the ambiance nor tasted particularly good.